Disclaimer: I own none of the original characters nor plot of Blue Lock.

Warnings: cursing, bullying

UPDATED TIMELINE

Pre-high school

- Reina (6) moves to Japan; Yoichi Isagi (7) gets rejected from J Youth

- Reo (12) and Reina (11) meet

High school

End of August:

-Isagi POV: Saitama Prefectural Final

-Reina POV: Annual Social Event between Hakuho (kf business; Reo and Nagi's school), IMS (kf Social Studies/Law and Soccer; the school Reina attended for a month before transferring; the school Rin currently attends), Shibuya Academy (kf math; the school Reina currently attends at their girl's only campus.) To clarify, Reo/Nagi & Reina do NOT go to the same school, but these three elite schools (Tokyo Trifecta) have a social event once a year for their students to network.

Early September: Blue Lock starts, cannon happens up until the U-20 game.

Mid-late November: U-20 game.

Late November (2 week break from Blue Lock between U20 game and NEL):

Day 1 – Boys freed from Blue Lock. Itoshi "family dinner" where Reina says Sae praised Isagi's performance in front of Rin.

Day 2 – BLE & U20 bowling in Shibuya. Isagi meets Reina (Rin & Sae's half-sister) and Megumi-san (barista)

Day 3 – Isagi (17) and Reina (16) meet up for a second cup of coffee, Iyo (his mom) helps him with laundry, Yoichi and Issei (his dad) have a mini-heart to heart.

Day 4 – Reina's late to the duo's third meeting because of an interview, Isagi asks Bachira/Nagi/Chigiri for some girl advice. Iyo gets more curious about his 'new friend'

Day 5 – YCA volunteering (Mei the cutie-pie introduced), on his way walking Reina back home they encounter Reo (17).

Day 6 – Reina and Isagi meet his parents. On his way to drop her off, they save Melissa (an exchange student from Spain) from a drunk salaryman and Isagi saves Reina from going splat because of a wayward tool box.

Day 7 (Friday) – Momoji Festival

Day 8 (Saturday) – He walks her home, chats with his mom re: her suspicions on Reina's homelife (and other things lol), dream Ego with white specter in his uniform. Has conflict with his dad over Reina being temporary, and heads to the gym. Reina tells Sae she's going to Shibuya to meet Megumi.

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O n i k k o

{鬼っ子}

chapter 10 part one – siren

His dad's disappointed gaze haunts Yoichi the entire way to the gym.

The annoying feelings that were stirred up by his father's words... those stupid feelings persist despite each hour that passes at the gym. The weird churning sensations in his gut and his chest stay swirling no matter how much Yoichi tries to focus on the burn in his muscles instead. Eventually, the striker collapses on a bench. He's heaving and drenched in sweat after having worked out without breaks at a furious (and unsustainable) pace.

("Maybe you would have been able to handle this intensity for longer if you hadn't gotten distracted so much this past week. It's all her fault, don't forget that. She's making you weak. She's going to get you kicked out of Blue lock; she's going to destroy your dreams.")

His phone beeps.

3:01 pm

[Does 4:00 still work for you?]

("Almost time to be free of her. Aren't you excited?")

His gut twists.

[Yeah.]

[Awesome!]

He sees text bubbles on her side of the screen appear and disappear multiple times before he receives her next message.

[I'll be done here in about twenty minutes, so I have some extra time. Did you want to maybe walk around a bit together before coffee?]

'Yes,' he thinks reflexively, even though Yoichi knows he shouldn't agree. Because she's deadweight, poison, and a dangerous distraction.

[Only if you have time, of course!]

[No pressure!]

[I know you're really busy too!]

His fingers hover over the keys. 'She's just a temporary whim that's run its course.' He knows that now, so why is he hesitating to type in no.

("How pitiful. Fine. I suppose the sooner you see her, the sooner we can finally get rid of her. So you can agree, just this one last time," the voice concedes. "Now that I trust you'll leave her, I'll let you have tonight to rip her claws out of your chest." The voice snickers. "It might hurt a bit now, but ignore the blood. The scars will be worth it in the end. So go ahead, striker. Start the finale.")

[Sure. I can be there in 30 minutes.]

[Great!]

[Meet me at Shibuya Station]

[exit B2!]

[See you soon :D]

Letting her go will help him reach his dream. So why does he feel so sick at the thought of never seeing her again? Why does his chest feel hollow?

The early evening wind greets him as he steps out of the station. His hair's still damp after rinsing off at the gym, so even the slight breeze sends a chill down his spine. Looking ahead, Shibuya Crossing spans out in front of him. Thick crowds, consisting of both locals and tourists (despite the off-season) shuffle around. He leans against a wall to wait for her. The striker slides his transport pass and wallet into his gym bag, before swinging it over his shoulder. He pauses the game he was watching on his phone.

[I'm here]

He starts typing, but doesn't hit send. He's filled with a weird sense of dread at that moment. 'Is this… really the last time I'll see her?'

("Yes." The voice hisses. "We have a dream and she's an obstacle.")

'But maybe-'

("Keep her and see what I do…")

The voice's ominous warning strengthens Yoichi's resolve. His grip tightens on the bag hanging from his right hand, the one holding her coat.

"Isacchi!"

He hears her happily greet from his side. He turns towards her familiar voice just as she intertwines the fingers of her right hand with his left. She immediately starts tugging him around the corner. "Over here! You've got to see this!" Her other hand holds a fancy shopping bag with an excessive amount of silver tissue paper exploding out of it, and an expensive brand embossed on it. The obnoxious bag dangles when she uses the same arm to point across the famous intersection. "Isn't it so cool!?"

The striker looks at the standard postcard view of Shibuya. "Umm, sure?" He hedges, uncertain of what exactly he's supposed to be so amazed at. Sure, Yoichi doesn't come down to Tokyo frequently (he's visited more times this past week than in the entire past year). But, he's still seen Shibuya Crossing enough times that he isn't six and staring wide-eyed at the tourist trap anymore. What's she so excited about?

"No, no. Turn that way, you have to look at the tonde iru tori building. It's that one, right there, next to the 109 building, about half as high!"

He eyes the structure, which he judges to be no different from the other gimmicky Shibuya Crossing buildings. Only for its trick, this building has a bunch of metal birds scattered along it. A light bulb goes off in his head, as he remembers her offhand comment about liking birds at the festival last night when he gave her the bracelet.

"Doesn't it look so incredible at sunset!" She chirps. "It's the second best time to see it, since all the different colours reflect off it. But nighttime is the absolute best. It has this lighting system that makes the birds look like they're actually flying!"

'Fits, I guess,' Yoichi thinks, given the building's name literally means flying birds. "It looks cool," he comments absentmindedly. Then, without thinking, he adds, "guess you can just show me the night version another time."

His throat tightens. 'Shit.' The words had slipped out unconsciously.

(The voice smirks. "Now there's a promise you won't be able to keep, striker. How mean of you.")

She smiles warmly at him and his gut twists with guilt. "Of course! It's my favourite building, I'll come see it with you anytime!"

"Favourite building?" He redirects, trying to smile playfully (while hoping his expression doesn't look as strained as it feels.) "You're so weird."

"Says the boy who talks about devouring his teammates," she giggles.

He flicks her forehead. "So what's in the bag?"

"Oh, this?" She lifts up the fancy shopping bag. "I had to swing by Ginza to pick up something for the dinner party tomorrow." She pouts. "Speaking of, I'm never going to Ginza's main strip on a weekend ever again. It was way too crowded!"

And that explained the fancy brand, which looks pretty consistent with what she's wearing today. Ginza was filled with overpriced stores.

It's strange. He's used to seeing her in lounge wear, but today (for a second time) she's opted to wear something else. She's in dark, wide leg pants and a thick, fancy-looking cowl-neck. They look expensive, and match the style he can see on the billboards just above them. "Here," Yoichi takes her shopping bag from her. "I'll carry it for you."

"You don't have to," she says softly.

"It's fine."

'It leaves your second hand free to cling to my arm too, the way you did this morning. I really liked it when you did that, and I want you to do it again… Just this one last time.' He tries not to be too disappointed when her newly free hand stays at her other side. "So genius, where are we headed now?"

"We're going to just aimlessly stroll around and stuff." She gives him a playful grin, echoing his words from this morning. "Your favourite hobby, second to soccer, of course."

He rolls his eyes at her teasing, but lets her pull him back into the crowds. He's not a fan of being in large groups, usually. But in this case, where it forces her to be pressed up right against him, he's fine with it. Which is why he's a bit disappointed when she quickly turns down one of the medium-sized streets that's noticeably less dense, letting a few more inches of space sprout between them.

She's so absorbed in her rambling, that she nearly crosses the road despite the red pedestrian signal.

Yoichi yanks her back to the crosswalk, so they can wait for the light to change.

She frowns, confused. "What are you doing?"

"What are you doing? The road light is still green."

She looks at him strangely. "It's Saturday."

"I don't think the car that hits you will care, Reina."

'Honestly, what is she going to do without me?' This girl is liable to get herself seriously hurt one of these days, from either her recklessness or impulsiveness, if not because of her impatience.

She giggles. "Yo-kun, it's Saturday. All of Tokyo's big plazas close off their streets to motor vehicles on weekends from noon until six.*"

'Oh, yeah.' He supposes he knows that too, somewhere in his brain.

Reina gives him an indulgent smile. "That's why all the other people around us are comfortable crossing too."

His cheeks flush. 'Urgh, embarrassing. So much for spatial awareness.'

("You were just too distracted by her, again." The voice speaks up. "It's why she's a problem, remember?")

'Shut up,' Yoichi internally growls. 'You got what you wanted, so leave. At least for this evening. It's my last time with her; I don't want you here, ruining it.'

Reina brings them outside of a fancy looking kintsuba shop.

"Momo-senpai is super hard to please, but she recommended it!" Reina smiles warmly. "I figured since you were going to come all the way over to Tokyo again to buy me coffee, I could at least grab you some of your favourite food as a thank you!"

He suddenly feels nauseous, because it hits him. 'You're going to hate me, aren't you?' Reina's words from a few days ago echo in his mind. ("It's crueler to love and leave, than to just let a person be.")

"…and Momo-senpai said that the bakers here make kintsuba using some super special red beans from Hokkaido! Oh, and don't worry, I know you're trying to balance out your diet more, so I asked Melissa about her brother this morning."

Telling himself that leaving won't hurt her is a lie, because of course it fucking will. His gut twists and twists. Will Reina be angry or sad? 'Probably both.'

"…Then Melissa texted me back and said that he's actually aiming to be a nutritionist for sports teams one day. So he'd love to try creating some meal plans for you, since he can submit them as extra credit for his course!"

Will she cry… because of him? The idea of her tears guts him.

"… And since I'm going to be pretty tied up with the lab once next week's over and I finish up all those annoying safety courses, I figured if you were okay with it, I'd have Melissa give him your number so he could ask you some questions about it? His name's Raymundo, but she says everyone calls him Rody. What a weird nickname, huh? You would think he would shorten it to Ray or…"

("I won't always forgive you so easily, Isagi Yoichi." )

His mind turns the memory of her words from playful to bitter. The striker feels a pit growing in his chest. Like a void that's becoming colder and emptier the longer he stares at her and realizes she won't be next to him for very much longer.

"Either way, I had Melissa check with Rody and apparently kintsuba isn't even that bad. Which, by the way, I told you so! Remember, I totally told you it didn't count as a sweet. So anyways, Rody said you could have up to one piece every other day until he worked out a detailed plan for- oof!"

Yoichi uses their joined hands to pull her into his chest, while his other arm wraps around her even though it's still holding two bags.

'She's so warm.' And for a minute, just a minute, he lets her warmth seep through his chest and feed the void.

"You, umm," she cuts off her rambling, and sounds so endearingly flustered. "You must really like kintsuba, huh?"

He's hit with an intense sensation of longing. And no, not for the dessert.

"Yeah," he forces out, tightening his grip on her. "I really do. I…"

'I wish you could be more than temporary.'

("Some things, once you say, you can't take back.")

His dad's words cause his resolve to falter. 'Maybe…' Should he think it through just a bit more before he tells her goodbye?

("Lock off, Isagi Yoichi.")

No, he can't. She's just a distraction. Tonight he'll leave her.

So what if screams or cries or hates him. Her tears mean nothing compared to his dream. They can't.

The pair wander down some more streets, a kintsuba-filled bag added to his hand.

She chatters next to him. He interjects only occasionally; the little idiot could go on forever if he let her. He's fine with it though. He gets to watch her, record her face and her smile. He sears her expressions and features into his memory. Instead of the warm hues from festival stalls, this time it's the deep orange of an early autumn evening lighting up her round cheeks and dark eyes. 'So pretty…'

He feels a flick on his forehead. "Are you okay, Yocchan? You seem kind of… preoccupied?"

"I was just thinking about…" ('You.') "… training. And how to structure my last few days before Blue Lock restarts."

"Oh yeah," she dims a bit. "That starts again at the end of this week, right?"

He nods.

She brightens again as she asks, "well, did you have any more games you wanted to go over together? I can help you!"

'That's right.' She hadn't entirely been a distraction. She had been useful. He had learned about lanes because of her, and going over the reruns with her had helped him see Sae and Loki's game style in a new way. Yoichi had been able to come up with his own way to create shapes because of her. And then there's her brothers… Yoichi hadn't directly asked, not since they first met, but there must be some useful information regarding two of the best youth players in Japan sitting in her head, information that could ultimately help him become better. 'So maybe… if she's helpful I can keep her for a bit longer? Instead of a distraction, she could be a tool-'

("No, she's a trap." The voice returns. "Like a siren: half bird and half human, but all enchanting monster. A pretty voice that lures sailors to their deaths. That's what she's doing, drawing you towards the death of your dreams.")

"No." Yoichi answers, more coldly than he had to. "I can do whatever's left on my own…" His gut squirms with malcontent with every word. "I need to focus more on the physical stuff for the next week, anyway."

The striker doesn't outright say 'and I don't need you for that,' but he can tell she hears it.

Her smile wavers but she nods, "o-of course." She tilts her head in an attempt to lighten the mood. "Whatever you say, Isa-chin."

He snorts, tugging her closer. "That's a new one."

She snickers. "I'm still trying to figure out which nickname suits you best."

"You've tried a dictionary's worth." He raises a brow. "Surely there's one you like better."

"Hmm, I feel like I'm leaning towards Isacchi and Yo-kun." She shrugs before smirking at him. "But after dinner with your parents, Yocchan is just too adorable to not use too, especially when I'm teasing you."

He pulls her even closer. "Don't be a pest."

She giggles against his shoulder. "Guess I'll just go with whatever nickname better fits the moment." Then she nods to herself as if she's made some great decision. "I like them all, so I'll just use them all. No need to limit myself to just one, you know?"

(Something about what she says clicks in the back of his mind, but he's too busy thinking about what's at the front of his mind.)

'Don't say it.' He orders himself. 'Don't say it, don't say it, don't say it.' He clears his throat, ready for another episode of brain doesn't meet mouth. "I wouldn't mind if… You can call me just by my first name sometimes too," his cheeks burn as he continues bashfully. "Umm, if you want, that is, or whatever."

There's a pause. He mentally reprimands himself over getting so flustered.

She leans further into his shoulder and turns her head closer towards his own. "Maybe I'll just go with Yo-tan going forward, instead." She baits with warm but teasing eyes. His heart clenches violently at her wicked smile. "It makes you light up like a Christmas tree; you get so embarrassed when I call you that."

Yoichi isn't quite sure how, but the next thing he knows, they're in an alley and he's pressing her back against a wall. It's similar to the alley from a few days ago, only this one smells like ramen and fried oil.

The striker's grin sharpens as he looks straight down into her surprised eyes. "If you try to embarrass me, I'll find a way to get you back for it."

("No you won't," the voice chastises, seeming worried. "Final night, remember? Remember!?")

'Fuck off.' He thinks belligerently, thoroughly enjoying the way their position puts his hips just above hers, only an inch of space between them. 'If it's my last night, then I'm taking as much of her as I can.' Yoichi doesn't know when the bags in his other hand dropped down to the ground, but his (now free) hand grips her hip tightly, fingers digging into her thick sweater. His other hand, still interlocked with hers, presses the back of her hand into the brick wall.

"Oh, what a silly soccer star. That's a game you don't want to play against me. You'll lose." She breathes out, large eyes staring right back at his while her chest brushes against his with every inhale. "Queen of composure over here, I don't get embarrassed easily," she smiles sweetly. "But you're welcome to try… Yoichi."

His first name said so softly from her lips is like a spell, drawing him closer. 'Fucking siren.' He leans in slowly, as if possessed by some otherworldly force. Closer and closer, he wants to press his mouth against hers and devour her. But if he breaks their gaze first, she'll beat him. And he's not in the business of losing. He can be patient (or at least more patient than her). So he waits, close enough that his breath mixes with hers, their eyes locked. A second passes, and then a few more, until Miss Composure finally concedes and lets her eyes drop to his mouth. 'I win, genius.' He smirks. 'And my prize is you.' She tilts her chin up just slightly, but instead of meeting her lips, he veers to the right, and brings his mouth next to her ear.

"Oh, I'm sure I could think of something to unsettle you." Her breath hitches as his mouth moves down next to the soft spot just behind the angle of her jaw "Actually," he murmurs against her soft skin, unconsciously pressing himself into her until their entire bodies are flush against each other. 'I can think of more than just a few things I could do to you.' Before he can voice his thoughts, a loud bang startles them both.

They immediately turn their heads towards a door just a few meters away from them. A young restaurant worker appears, whistles a random tune while wearing earphones, and tosses out a bag of trash. The asshole doesn't notice the pair at all as he goes back into the restaurant, letting the heavy door loudly slam shut behind him.

And just like that, the moment is ruined.

'Fuck, really?' Yoichi lets out a loud groan of frustration against her shoulder, which had gone rigid (along with the rest of her) the moment they were interrupted. He should have taken her when he had the chance, instead of prioritizing winning their stupid unspoken game. Which, it seems like she's not interested in playing anymore; her free hand pushes lightly against his chest. (Strange, when did her hand get there? How long has she been trying to push him off?) He takes a step back, annoyed by both the worker's interruption and the distance her palm puts between them. His eyes drop to her wrist.

'She's wearing my bracelet,' he notices, 'only mine, this time.' His annoyance settles at the sight, and he mostly forgives her for pushing him away.

"You still owe me coffee, Isacchi," she says quietly, with a polite smile he hasn't seen in a while, and something weird in her expression.

(But she lets him wrap his hand around hers again, so he must have just imagined the uncertainty clouding her eyes.)

The last few blocks to the café are especially riddled with other couples. Yoichi blames the mushy scenery for the entirely unbidden and unwanted image that materializes before him:

Reina with someone else.

His mind continues to conjure more unpleasant images, one after another, in an unforgiving reel. Someone else holding her waist and losing their hand in her messy morning hair. Someone else hugging her on their couch and discovering the cute whistle sound she makes when she sleeps. Someone else stealing her smiles and her attention. The images nearly make the striker gag. But then comes hell, the image of a purple-eyed shadow wrapping their arms around her, kissing her, and tugging at her clothes to do more.

Yoichi's never punched anyone before. But the idea of someone else touching her like that has him clenching his fist tighter around the bags, and swinging at the Reo-shaped shadow coiling around the Reina in his head. 'She wouldn't,' he tries to reassure himself. 'Even when I leave, she won't let anyone else kiss her… will she?' His eyes slant towards the girl at his side.

'You won't let anyone else touch you, right?'

Instead of answering his unasked question, the real version of Reina continues to chatter. "They want me to choose just one! Which is totally unfair. Both projects are so interesting, how could I ever choose between them? And when I asked to join both, the lab director said they wanted me to focus on 'devoting adequate attention to one,' or whatever. I'm still trying to convince them that I can take on two. I mean, why couldn't I handle it? I want them both, so I'll make it work, you know? I mean, yeah, maybe I'll sleep a bit less, but I'd way rather…"

'Both.' A light goes off in his head. 'Soccer and Reina. Why can't I have them both?'

("Because you'll end up sacrificing one for the other.")

'But that's if I try to balance them both at the same time,' he counters, pieces clicking into place. 'She can wait,' he thinks with certainty (that he'll later realize he shouldn't have had). 'If I tell her to, she'll wait for me. I know she will. I'll go back to Blue Lock, win the U-20 tournament, get signed, and lead Japan to victory in the World Cup three years from now.'

He looks to the girl still rambling at his side. 'Then… I'll come back for her.'

("Maybe." The voice hardens, "but don't get confused, striker. She can be your prize for later, but she's still just a distraction for now. You're still saying goodbye tonight." )

"… so what do you think?" She asks.

"Both." His grip on her tightens, eyes a maelstrom as they lock onto her. "Take them both."

The door chime signals their entrance as they step into the café. Reina pulls him towards their usual table, which looks like it only just became free, given it's still shining from a recent wash. He puts down her shopping bag, as well as the bag with kinstuba, and then hands her the third bag.

"My mom finished it this morning." He explains, as he slides his gym bag off his back.

Reina's eyes light up in realization as she excitedly slides her cream coat out of the bag. "Oh wow! The reupholstered sleeves look amazing!" She immediately stands beside the table and puts it on.

"So, what do you think?" she smiles brightly, cheerfully spinning around with her arms out to show off the sleeves.

'I think I'll make you mine forever.'

"Looks fine to me." He rests his chin on his hand, expression fond as she does another pleased spin.

"I almost wish it was colder, so I could keep wearing it even indoors," she chuckles. Reina starts removing the jacket, an action that keeps his full attention on her. Despite the normal action, her sliding it off her shoulders makes his heart jump in his chest.

"Your mom really did an amazing job!" She handles the coat very carefully, gently folding it and then clutching it with both hands. It's the same way she held the cookie Megumi gave her, and the way she held the cold coffee he gave her after her interview. Actually, it's the same way she held the bracelet he gave her (before he latched it onto her wrist), and the same way she handled the hair pins last night. 'Oh.' It comes as a soft realization. 'That's how she handles things she treasures.'

Her coat finally back in its bag, she tugs him off his seat. "Time for coffee!" She cheers. "Let's get in line, Yo-kun!"

They enter the short line, about four or so people ahead of them. Not even thirty seconds later, the door chime rings again. Yoichi glances back reflexively, spotting three girls in green sports uniforms entering the café. He offhandedly notices that they're wearing the same track suits as the large group of girls from earlier in the week, the group that had made Amajiki-san quit. Only, these three girls seem around his age, noticeably older than the middle-school girls he encountered the first day he met Reina.

The girl at his side immediately stiffens as the lycra-clad girls join the line just a few steps behind them.

Yoichi pulls her closer. "Is something wrong?" he whispers.

"Nope," she gives him an obviously fake smile. "I'm just excited for my cookie and coffee, duh."

She has a death grip on his hand, so she's clearly upset over something. But he figures he'll allow her evasion for the moment, and then prod her further when they're back at their table. And that's what would have happened, if not for the whispers and giggles behind the pair getting loud enough that Yoichi can overhear them without even trying to. And he definitely tunes in after he hears Reina's name.

"…looks like this time she at least picked one who knows how to dress. Urgh, a hoodie under a blazer, remember that?" One girl giggles. "I suppose he was tall though, even if he was a slob and totally lacked proper posture. But this one's so cute, did you see his eyes? How'd someone like her get a date with a guy like that?"

"Bet he doesn't know her… reputation. Oh, should we tell him?" Number two whispers excitedly. "We could totally make a reaction video or something and send it to Saiko-chan! Too bad we couldn't post it on Wyetube because of Itoshi-sama, otherwise it'd go viral."

"No, no, he totally knows." Number three snickers. "Why do you think he's with Reina-me? It's why guys go for girls like her: they're easy, you know?"

Yoichi scowls. 'That's enough.' He's ready to tell those assholes exactly what he thinks of their conversation, but Reina's second hand grabs the front of his shirt before he can turn, and tugs firmly to redirect his attention to her.

"Look, they have a bunch of new espresso shots." She releases the fabric of his shirt to point at the menu. "Want to try a Brownie Pecan Pie and Butter Cake expresso one?" Is what she says, but her eyes are asking him something else entirely. 'Please, don't make a scene.' She silently pleads. 'Ignore them, can you please just ignore them?'

'Absolutely not.' He wants to answer (to both her asked and unasked questions), especially when he hears what comes next.

"Oh my god did you hear her order?" Number two 'whispers.' "What a pig. As if she has the calories to spare."

"No, no, silly me. That would be too sweet for you!" Reina chirps, as if she's deaf to the words behind them. "Maybe a Cranberry Iced Frappuccino? You can get Megumi-senpai to make it half sweet for you, too!"

There's more giggling behind them, but Reina's eyes remain locked onto his, begging him to ignore the trio's commentary.

"Reina?" he asks quietly, concerned. 'Why aren't you saying anything to them? This isn't okay.'

Then he remembers what she told him last night.

("I sort of... had a pretty, umm, tough time at Shibuya for the first bit.")

Well, now he knows why.

"I'm getting my usual, of course!" She answers even though she clearly knows that's not what he's trying to ask. "No use rocking the boat, you know?" And then she goes out of her way to whisper. "Don't say anything. Please, Yocchan."

So even though Yoichi feels his irritation climb and climb with every barb he overhears, he does… fucking nothing. And Reina's iron control over his rage works, superficially, at least. When they get their drinks from the counter, they go back to their table. Only, she decides to sit on the other side of the table than she usually does, and pulls him next to her. He realizes a few minutes later that she did it intentionally, to put most of the open tables to their back. So when the unholy trio sit, it's out of his field of view.

And he tries to be good, he really, really does. But the stupid giggling and their braying laughter doesn't stop, grating on his every nerve. He can't hear their words anymore, but his veins are boiling. So, he behaves just long enough to form an idea.

He stands abruptly. "I think I want another drink instead," Yoichi interrupts whatever she was saying. "This one's too sweet."

"What?" Reina asks, as he starts to walk away. "But you haven't even had a sip!"

He doesn't answer her and heads to the counter, glad there's no line. As soon as Megumi-san comes over, he asks her to gift three of those new espresso shots to the three girls from him.

Megumi-san scowls. "And the why the fuck would you-"

"Oh, but with a couple of substitutions." Yoichi interrupts her with sharp eyes. "I was thinking of salt and vinegar instead of the sugar and the syrups?"

The barista gives a wicked grin. "Oh, I would be delighted to."

Looks like she heard the assholes too. 'Well they weren't exactly being discrete, were they?'

Obviously Megumi-san can't outwardly do anything to the three on her own since she doesn't own the shop. But, as a dutiful employee, she can't refuse a request from a paying customer like Yoichi, can she?

The striker's mom had hammered into his head since he was a kid that he should be especially nice and considerate towards girls. But, he's pretty sure Kaasan would happily make an exception this time. She'd probably cheer him on. Then again, given how fond the Isagi matriarch was of Reina, she'd probably chastise him for not thinking of sprinkling laxative powder on top.

After ordering and working out the… specifics… with Megumi-san, he leaves the smirking barista a generous tip and returns to his table. However, instead of sitting next to Reina, he sits in the seat across from her. She seems confused if not a bit hurt, but still slides his drink over to his side.

'It's just temporary,' he wants to explain. 'I need to be in their line of vision for the next part.'

"So, what did you order?" Reina asks, voice falsely bright and eyes nervous.

"Nothing for me." He takes a sip of his drink and gives her a small smile. "I decided to stick with what I had."

Reina gives him an odd look. "Oh, umm… okay, then."

He moves his hand under the table and reaches for hers, finding it clenching the fabric at her thighs. "What were we talking about again, before I left?"

Her shoulders relax when he casually intertwines her fingers with his, and she starts speaking.

Ten minutes later, he sees Megumi-san come out from behind the counter with a tray hosting three fancy looking small drinks. One bright red, the second purple, and the third orange. He's happy with her selection, he did say to pick the colours most likely to stain.

"Uh, we didn't order those." Number three sneers.

"Oh, these are gifts!" Megumi-san says brightly and loudly, just so he (and Reina) can hear. "That guy over there said he wanted to pass on a message. Oh gosh, I'm so forgetful these days, but I think it was something along the lines of thanking you for helping him see someone's true colours? Or something like that, at least!"

The striker mentally decides to give the barista a second tip for her performance before he leaves. The three girls turn his way and he ensures to give them a winning smile and tipping his drink amicably towards them.

Reina's face falls when she witnesses the interaction, eyes cast down in obvious hurt. 'It's not what you think,' he wants to reassure her, but she'll see in a moment so all he does is tighten his grip on her hand when she tries to pull it away.

"Since it's a gift, you three should, like, totally do one of those timed kampai style cheers!" The barista continues with eyes that blink too much and a too-large smile. "Oh, and you know, you guys are just so pretty ." Megumi-san's honestly scarily good at her simpering teenage girl impression. "Would you mind terribly if I made a reaction video for our website?"

Of course they nod eagerly and just look so fucking pleased with themselves.

"Turn around at the end of Megumi's countdown." Yoichi instructs.

Reina's gaze flickers up and they must sense something from him, because her eyes widen. "Yoichi, no, what did you-"

"… two, one, kampai!"

She looks over her shoulder just in time to see the three assholes spitting out their drinks, getting it all over their white and green track suits.

The barista snaps her fingers. "I remember now! A set of repulsive drinks to match a set of repulsive humans." Megumi-san chirps cheerfully. "That's the message he asked me to pass on to you. So sorry for my momentary forgetfulness. I do hope you enjoyed your drinks!" She shakes the phone in her hand. "And shucks, looks like my video didn't work. Too bad we couldn't post it on Wyetube because of basic fucking human decency, otherwise it'd go viral."

Yoichi bursts out laughing when the barista echoes their earlier words, even though he knows it's a bit mean. Instead of making more of a scene, the three girls, red-faced and with multi-colour stains on their clothes, quickly pack up their things and leave, not meeting his eyes.

Megumi-san whistles happily as she starts wiping down the trio's vacant table.

Yoichi looks at Reina, expecting to see a grateful smile or starry eyes or-

Instead, he sees furious anger. "I'd like to talk with you outside." Her fists clench at her sides. "Now."

He frowns in confusion, but leaves their stuff at the table as he follows her. She pulls him into the alley next to the shop, visibly upset.

Yoichi raises a brow. "You can't honestly be angry over what I did?"

"Of course I am! I told you to ignore them!"

He's fucking dumbfounded. "You heard what they were saying! Why would I just let them get away with that? Why would you?!"

"Do you think I haven't heard worse before?" Reina responds, frustrated and rubbing her temples. "Things were finally at least a bit under control with Reo-kun's help, but you just undid it all!"

Of all the things she could have said at the moment, mentioning Reo was the absolute worst.

"So what?" Yoichi bristles. "Just because you've heard worse before makes what they said okay?" He should have stopped there. "You can't seriously be that much of a fucking doormat, Reina."

"Shut up! You don't know what you're talking about! Y-"

"Of course, because what would an idiotic peasant like me know about anything compared to you, right?"

"What? Where did that even come…" She shakes her head. "Regardless, you were way out of line; why didn't you just listen to me?! And it's not even just me, okay? What you did, things are going to be so much worse for Momo-senpai, and even the others too, when we go back after break!"

"I didn't realize you were so invested in people you'd give up in a heartbeat." He bites back, weaponizing what she had told him about her friends at the shrine. "You made them seem disposable, I'm surprised you even care."

Reina's face crumples. "Is that really what you think of me?" Her eyes start to water.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, he's a scumbag. What's he even saying? He reaches for her but she evades his grip, arms crossing around herself.

"You don't understand, it's so much more than just school." She's trembling. "Oh god, that was Togeike-sama's niece. If she tells her uncle and then he tells Otousama that I was…" She bites her lip and looks away. But Yoichi realizes, finally, that she's more scared than angry.

'She's terrified.' Remorse floods over him. He just did it again, didn't he? Hurt her without meaning to.

"I… Reina, shit, I didn't mean…"

("You tried to save her but ended up strangling her with the lifebuoy instead, how ironic." The voice chuckles. "Maybe you're worse for her than she is for you? Cling to her any longer, and you'll suffocate her.")

He sighs. "I just… I wanted to help you."

"I know." Reina speaks quietly. "But now…" Her fingers sink into the fabric covering her arms.

He steps closer to her. "Is there a way I can fix it?"

She shakes her head. "No, there's nothing you or I can do now. But maybe…" She brushes back a loose strand of hair, not seeing the striker's eyes narrow onto something that glints on her wrist. "I need a few minutes, okay? I'll call Reo-kun and ask if he's willing to help. Togeike-sama's son goes to Hakuho with him, so maybe Reo can…" She's mumbling to herself, so she misses the way Yoichi's entire body tenses when she mentions his teammate.

"Sure," Yoichi says robotically, chest tight and veins boiling at the thought of her relying on fucking Reo. "I'll just wait inside with our stuff while you call him then, I guess."

He turns to walk away before waiting for her response.

When she had brushed back that loose strand of hair, he had seen a flash of silver.

Looks like she hadn't replaced the expensive bracelet with his after all; she had just hidden the fancy bangle on her other wrist.

("Guess she was never yours at all." The voice snickers. "Oh well. Saying goodbye should be even easier now.")

A/N: Hope you all enjoyed. How'd you like their "first fight"? Possessive!Yoichi? The Alley scene? Any mistakes you noticed?

Reina POV coming after a few more Yoichi POVs!

Some Bachira, Chigiri, and Igarashi in the next chapter for you all to look forward to as well :D

Preview for future chapters of Onikko

"What a pretty background for a farewell scene."

/-/

The younger Isagi glances at his dad and immediately regrets it. The striker fucking hates how his dad is looking at him right now. As if Yoichi is some slimy piece of scum.

Responses to Reviewers

KingFiction - tysm for your review! I'm keeping my lips sealed on that hehe but you're definitely thinking in the right direction ;)

ErlanggSIOC - awww I know it was painful to write too! All of Reina's/her brother's pasts POVs are going to bring the angsty pain. Tysm for continuing to read and review :')

ElvenMatter - oh, the angst is only JUST beginning hehehe. YES Himsagi killing it in NEL, I'm so proud :') Not snobby at all, tysm for catching that! I will definitely note it for when I edit that chapter! Please let me know if you catch any more mistakes!

Danakinran - omg tysm that makes me feel so, so, happy! Ty for reading!